teeth, when do i start brushing them?

[lanismum]

I have just seen my dd (8 months) 1st tooth, its not actually through yet, just a teeny sharp corner, should i start brushing it, or wait till its through the gum a bit more, i dont want to make it sore for her? shes my 1st baby so not quite sure what im supposed to do?

I waited till they're through. You coul let her chew on a soft toothbrush, she might get some releif from it

As soon as the tooth has fully broken through. You don't have to use a toothbrush, you can use a dab of toothpaste on a muslin or even on your finger to start with. You can get some lovely soft first toothbrushes though.

thanks for answering so quickly, ill get a baby toothbrush later and try letting her chew on it, and ill try the toothpaste on muslin when its through properly, thanks again!!

these are great first toothbrushes

i would get one of these and start now

click on clean teeth and its the finger toothbrushes

those look good nailpolish, looks like they may be easier to use then a toothbrush while shes young, cheers

Okay, I'm confused. Ds is 11mo with about 7 teeth now. The toothpaste tube (McCleans) says parents should supervise (obviously) to minimise swallowing. But how am I supposed to communicate to ds that he should spit out?!!!

Only use a very small amount of paste and it wont matter if they can't spit out.

thanks. what do I do to make him allow the brush in his mouth withot screaming?

When ds got his first tooth I ask the health visitor what to do and she gave me a small toothbrush and a mild toothpaste pack that the dentists send them, cause the childrens' ones don't have enough fluoride. then on the 8month doctor's check they gave me a pack as they do officialy.ask your health visitor as they may have it. DS loves the taste and now at 13months he claps his hands when I pick up his toothbrush.

Ps. never had problems with opening his mouth and you only need to use a small amount like halp a pea size of toothpaste, there's not that much left to swallow.

Thank you all, I'll try some of those ideas. He did actually love it when i first tried, liked the taste, liked chewing it. But then he's changed his mind! Letting him brush my teeth sounds a good idea.

Letting him brush your teeth! Are you joking!!!! Mine'd stick it in my eye or something! I brushed both of my kid's teeth as soon as they got them. This way they got used to the idea. If they made a fuss I did it anyway and now it's a morning and night habit and I don't get any trouble over it. Start early before they know how to resist and then they just kinda take it for granted. I wouldn't pander to their whims though, if they don't like it - tough! If they don't eat, do you let them feed you? No! They just have to get used to it, otherwise they'll end up running circles round you!

as soon as the first one arrived

Baby or tooth!